I usually pull my logs up ramps over the side of the trailer. The sides rails are about 14 inches above the floor of the trailer.
This log is 30" on the butt and 27.5" 10 foot down the log. Usually, I winch the log up my ramps and the log drop into my trailer. This log weighs about 2800 lbs. This is a lot of weight to drop 14 inches into my trailer. I have moved many smaller logs this way . I use a Warn 9000 and a 18 X 7 foot double axel trailer. I just got nervous thinking about the drop. Anyone else have any experience? Any advice?
Thanks
bhub
I have the same problem, my fenders are above my deck. I use two ash logs just taller than my fenders, and long enough to stick out past the fender on one side so I can roll them off. Lay something down as tall as your sides, or just below, and you can roll them right on with no drop.
This is what I use (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10311/RMaylogtaerailer.jpg)
I have dropped a 4.5' dia. 14' long maple on my deck parbuckling. IT WAS SCAREY. The trailer ws heavy enough but the slight hill we were on got me to thinking it was headed for the house down the hill :o From my estimation it is in the 7000 lb weight class. The ground was frozen on the top only and I sunk the trailer tires into the ground. I did not have my tire chains with me and well,............I got someone to yank me out. It was 4 years ago or maybe 5 and my 4x4 extended cab F-250 just could move that trailer alone given the conditions. If the trailer isn't over built I would be careful. Most everything I own is overbuilt (including myself, I am morphing into a log wrestler). I like the additional cribbing idea, just be sure to have something there to stop it on the other side.
Reid
It is good to load logs uphill, too, if you have a choice. I didn't have that option once when loading a big pine log, and had a scary moment. The log was about 30" and 21 feet long, perfectly straight, and perfectly round. The only place to put the trailer was on the downhill side. I had bolsters on the off-side to keep it from rolling off. The log came up nicely, then took off down the hill, crashing into the bolsters. They stopped it ok, but the impact broke the tongue jack off the trailer and spun it around, almost hitting the truck. If the jack had held, I'm sure it would have turned the trailer over.
A lot of us manage to handle logs that are really too big for the equipment we're using. You just can't be too careful when doing this sort of stuff. Don't ever get in a hurry, and use every safety device and idea you can lay your hands on!
Same trailer idea as RMay...makes em easier to unload also. Eliminates hand loading of lumber also.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/2006_01020001.JPG)
I've busted floorboards dropping logs a lot smaller than what your talking about.
I have used cribbing to get the load above the rails on those little trailers before. It's the only way to be able to use forks. There are two things I always felt uneasy about. One is that the load gets awfully high and the center of gravity is above the tires enough that it could cause trouble. The other thing is the lack of bolsters. When hauling logs, especially, something is needed to keep them from breaking loose and rolling into oncoming traffic. Chocks won't always do the job.
I've decided that if my tractor won't lift it...I'm not sawing it. I've got a 28"x16' water soaked oak that I can only get up to saw height by lifting as far as the bucket will lift and then curling the bucket to get those last few inches. When I get ready to saw it, I'll move my pickup point to the frame behind the bucket. I'd hate to try and put that log on my trailer! Maybe I'll just let it dry out a little longer :D
Good suggestion Tom. Sometimes I furgit some people have real highways in there parts. :o Betcha DOT wouldn't think much of our trailer improvements either. :D
What if you were to drop the log on some tires laying flat on the trailer bed?
I would just like to second what DanG said
A lot of us manage to handle logs that are really too big for the equipment we're using. You just can't be too careful when doing this sort of stuff. Don't ever get in a hurry, and use every safety device and idea you can lay your hands on!
Always leave yourself an out for the What If .....
I just had outriggers installed on my trailer, due to "fenderus tootallicus" affliction.
For me, it's about a 10" drop from the top of the outriggers to the deck, but I have a steel mesh deck that takes a severe beating without damage.
I figure that, for the $500 I have into the trailer, I have gotten my money out of it in spades, and then some. So, a little extra beating now and then isn't a real big deal.
Besides, whatever I break, I have to fix, right?
Sometimes, the lesson in repairing it and thinking things through to improve it, creates an even better product in the grand scheme.
An option for that last drop is adding inner ramps to lessen the actual drop that you subject the log to, that are movable. If you do that, be VERY careful on how you STOP the rolling energy, as if the log is too large, it may flip your trailer (funny in hindsight, not when happening)
SD